Beginner's Box: Cracker sandwiches make easy appetizers

Here’s a fun variation on a theme that even the most inexperienced cook can handle -- cheese and crackers that mimic popular deli sandwiches.

The Baby Reuben combines the flavors of the popular sandwich by topping a cracker with corned beef, a dab of Thousand Island dressing, and Swiss cheese. Pop them in the oven to melt the cheese and serve.

Or try the Italian Sub, with mozzarella, salami and a strip of pepperoncini.

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Cut slices of Swiss and corned beef to fit the crackers. Lay crackers on baking sheet and top each with a slice of corned beef, 1/4 teaspoon of dressing, then a slice of Swiss. Place in oven for 5-10 minutes or until cheese melts. Serve warm.

Italian Sub

1/4 pound provolone or mozzarella

1/4 pound thinly sliced salami

Thin rye crackers

Pepperoncini strip

Cut slices of Swiss to fit crackers. Top each cracker with cheese, then salami, then strip of pepperoncini.

Hot Ham & Swiss

1/4 pound Swiss cheese

1/4 pound thinly sliced deli-style ham or prosciutto

Flatbread cracker

Spicy mustard

Preheat oven to 330 degrees. Cut slices of Swiss and ham to fit crackers. Lay crackers on baking sheet and top first with ham, then Swiss. Place in oven for 5-10 minutes or until cheese melts. Top with a drizzle or dab of mustard and serve warm.